My mailbox if filling up with messages from fans frustrated with Larry Johnson and the things he had to say after the loss to Oakland.
No doubt that he was talking at least somewhat out of frustration. The Chiefs guaranteed him $19 million last year and their return has been minimal and that part has to irriate him.
But nothing he said struck me as irrational. I don't think there should be any cause for regret on his part.
Mostly, he's right. While Johnson was a great back for the Chiefs when they had a solid offensive line and were often playing with the lead, he's become a little bit of a misfit now that things have changed.
LJ is what he is: a hammer when he has the ball in his hands and a liability when he doesn't. While he has tremendous value to them if they can get their offensive problems worked out, he's expendable if they don't.
In 2005, Priest Holmes stayed down on his back after suffering a vicious blow from linebacker Shawn Merriman. I can remember it like it was yesterday. Everyone around me was shaking their heads with disbelief while trying to convice eachother that he was going to be alright. Well, he wasn't. Holmes, the player that had been the backbone of this team for five years would be out the rest of the season/career (unless you count that charade last year) because of a serious neck injury. Of course, we all knew at that point that that a man by the name of Larry Johnson was more than capable of filling those shoes. Or was he? The rest of 05, 06, and even the 07 season Johnson had everyone convinced that he was the second coming of Jim Brown. However, last year, behind a less than adequate line, Johnson began leaking some of his less appealing colors. He pouted. He complained. He showed no appreciation for his new fat contract and he eventually got injured (an injury I'm certain Jim Brown would have played on). After that, rookie Kolby Smith stepped in behind the same linemen and ran as if he belonged in the NFL. He hit holes with authority. If the holes he was supposed to hit weren't open, then he found the ones that were. Like it or not, Smith stepped up along Dwayne Bowe and threw a life-line to our sinking offense. Something Johnson seemed reluctant to do.
I understand most of you (maybe all) don't need a run-down on the past 9 years of Chiefs Football. However, the point I'm trying to make is this: Larry Johnson shouldn't be the starting running back on this team. I just think it's too much pressure for any NFL coach to feel obligated to give a running back 20-25 carries for 50 yards just because he was good with that amount two years ago; especially since the two other running backs on the depth chart have shown the potential to accomplish more with the football. It's really as simple as that. If Johnson held himself with a little more class and composure, and a lot less "what have you done for me lately" attitude, then maybe I could understand. However, If he wants to approach adversity this way then I think he should expect those same types of feelings reciprocated from Kansas City fans and coaches. "What have you done for us lately?"
This wasn't my attempt to trash Mr. Johnson. I'm just bitter I guess. Three years ago I would have sworn that I was watching the greatest running back of all time. He seemed cool and collected. He rolled arm-tacklers off his shoulders and he blew people up like a stick of dynamite. Unfortunatly though, I think chiefs fans are slowly but surely finding out that in this game of heroes, Larry Johnson just isn't one of them.
Note: Quinn is a bold move, but I think curiosity alone would sell tickets.